Wednesday, August 21, 2013
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday admitted that he is concerned about the country’s reputation with the international community in the wake of criticisms that followed the repatriation of a group of Cubans.
However, Mr Christie insisted that the Bahamas yielded to existing treaties and procedures that he suggested helped shape the government’s decision to send the 24 Cubans home.
The move also came as Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell sternly defended the Bahamas’ reputation amid claims of abuse of Cuban detainees while at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Mitchell said that the situation could have been handled differently, but he pointed out that hindsight is always 20-20. He said he would always defend the country’s image.
Mr Christie said: “Yes I am always worried about that because it is an emotional subject.
“I have always said that the US understands the position of the Bahamas and that we have entered into treaties and understandings of how these matters are treated with both the government, Cuba, the government of the United States of America and other governments who are interested governments in the sense that they might offer asylum or a place of refuge for the Cubans.
“The United Nations who make an assessment they come in when the Cubans are here and make an assessment in terms of who is eligible for asylum, they so declared and the others are then to go back to Cuba by agreement or, alternatively, if there is another country who is offering them some kind of asylum.
“But I am satisfied and the Americans had a high level delegation out here recently. They know what the treaties are and they know what our relations are they themselves have similar sorts of understandings.”
Mr Christie added that he was saddened by how the matter had been relayed in the media, but he said that it is his hope to reach a conclusion soon.
“Cuban Americans have been led to believe that we as a country treated Cubans in the detention centre cruelly. I am hoping that we arrive very quickly at the final results of an investigation on it so that they can see that we are a country of laws, justice. They will see when justice is done,” Mr Christie said.
Comments
concernedcitizen says...
on the family island i live ,we have had second home owners tied up and robbed at gunpoint ,and 4 expensive boats stolen all in the last 2 months ,the for sale signs have increased and our reputation is dropping here ..i can,t tell prospective buyers ,investors ,this is an isolated incident b/c the chatter and the internet would make me a liar,,I am not a fortune teller ,but i can predict the future for our country ,more and more all inclusive locked down resorts and larger ghettos and poverty ,,a la Jamaica ...Atlantis is really a locked down resort and Baha mar will be too ,,
Posted 21 August 2013, 3:38 p.m. Suggest removal
concernedcitizen says...
the family island i live on we have 300 second home owners ,,,,,,,and they are afraid ,,,,about 10 armed robberies in the last 2 years of foriegners ,,,i am a care taker /boat capt for a couple from N/J and i was tied upped and robbed and pleaded w/ them to take whatever but not wake the elderly couple ,,the for sale signs are mounting ,,4 high priced boats in the last 2 months ,,,
Posted 21 August 2013, 6:23 p.m. Suggest removal
concernedcitizen says...
locals ,its a lot per capita ,,theres only about 3000 people ,,
Posted 21 August 2013, 10:19 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
What is more important the preservation of our sovereignty or the reputation of this country based on false or unsubstantiated claims? The truth will set you free and the vexing problem of having to repatriate illegal immigrants over the many years is taking a toll on the publics' purse. This country cannot bow its knees at this point and go soft on its immigration policies. Those abroad, who feel that the country's efforts to host illegal migrants when they are caught up in this country are inadequate or a mistreatment, should make efforts to bear some of the costs in making the accommodations to make them more to their liking. Florida-based Cubans are very aggressive, demanding, yes arrogant and now anti-Bahamian and if they get a strong enough foothold in this country, we like former Miami residents will be running to the hills, Stand firm and keep this country secure.. Before they speak of mistreatment or torture in the Bahamas, let them stand on the shores of Cuba and make the same claims about that country.
Posted 21 August 2013, 7:41 p.m. Suggest removal
concernedcitizen says...
give me a couple good grands and i,ll get you a work permit for a martain,,check all the cubans in murphyville and working for T Wells ,,what about all the hatains for frank hanna ,,we sell our sovereignty for the right price ,,,,,,,,, foriegners get residency for 1/2 a mill,,lest we ask so high and mighty
Posted 21 August 2013, 7:48 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
Yup, Filipinos, Cubans, Haitians, Dominicans,
all facilitated for the connected.
Mind, we have signed trade agreements which allow for the movement of "goods and Services" and Direct foreign investment without our typical bureaucratic stalling/payoff/fronting/manipulation.
Posted 21 August 2013, 8:52 p.m. Suggest removal
USAhelp says...
We don't need tourists get them out so we can continue to live in piece. Lets raise tax an live our life happy. Won't miss it till its gone !!!!
Posted 22 August 2013, 10:55 a.m. Suggest removal
tsubaki says...
it's so fastidious to read this website, and I used to pay a visit to this site daily
[maison d'hotes ouarzazate][1]
[1]: http://etoilefilantedor.com/chambres.ht…
Posted 23 June 2014, 11:26 a.m. Suggest removal
yilky says...
I check your website regular and attempt to take in something from your site. Much thanks to you and sitting tight for your new post. <a href="http://bbwdatingrevolution.com/">bbw personals</a>
Posted 17 April 2015, 4:34 p.m. Suggest removal
yilky says...
I have been resulting in these present circumstances site for very much a period now and I gotta let you know each time I come here I discover something new. <a href="http://chaturbatetokenshack.com/">chaturbate tokens hack</a>
Posted 20 April 2015, 11:41 a.m. Suggest removal
yilky says...
I have altogether appreciated perusing your focuses and have arrived at the conclusion that you are right about huge numbers of them. <a href="http://bestsugardaddydatingsites.com/">find a sugar daddy</a>
Posted 25 April 2015, 3:53 a.m. Suggest removal
Log in to comment